Robert Scardino, Author

Robert Scardino avatar
I'm a writer stuck in an engineer's brain with a debilitating case of autoholism. While studying at the University of Illinois I discovered my passion for writing with a weekly sports column in a local newspaper. I've been writing ever since. When I moved out of my parents' house, I got married, rescued a beagle, and realized that environmental responsibility is a requirement, not a choice. I became obsessed with energy conservation to the annoyance of my wife, who raised an eyebrow when I suggested we use solar chargers for our portable electronics. I'm not ashamed to admit that my stash of earth friendly, biodegradable cleaners stems from an Oprah episode. I am embarrassed, however, that my steamiest dream lately involved a plug-in hybrid Toyota FJ Cruiser with go-anywhere attitude, room for my furry friends and a combined rating of 50 miles per gallon. Imagine my disappointment when I awoke and realized that this vehicle doesn't exist yet.

Articles

  • Infrastructure Hurdles Hinder Mini E Trial

    Being a pioneer isn't easy. Just ask BMW North America CEO, Jim O'Donnell. As the German automaker continues to test 450 electric Minis (aptly called Mini Es) in New York, New Jersey and L.A.,...

  • Porsche Planning All-Electric Sports Car (Cautiously)

    The German automaker whose name is synonomous with "sports car" is planning an all-electric vehicle. This is no third party hack of an existing car either. While speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday, Porsche president and CEO, Michael Macht, announced that the company is working hard...

  • Toyota Vice President Says Electric Cars Are Too Expensive

    "Electric vehicles of today are less costly than in 1990s, but if you compare them with the other vehicles out there they are still too expensive." Those were the words of Toyota Executive Vice President, Takeshi Uchiyamada, at the Frankfurt Motor Show which opened to the press today. "Unless there...

  • Electric Supercar Alert: Steenstra Styletto Images Released

    Watch your back Tesla. There's a new electric supercar in the works and it's being developed right in your backyard. International car designer, Cornelis Steenstra just released the first images of his zero-emissions, 200-mph-plus, sports car which he hopes to put on the streets by early 2013...

  • Lexus Releases More Details On The LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

    If you like premium compact hatchbacks, Lexus has something for you - provided you live in Europe. As we've previously reported, Toyota's luxury brand will unveil their LF-Ch hybrid concept in a few days at the Frankfurt Motor Show and their most recent press release called our attention to some of...

  • VIDEO: New Energy Technologies Tests Roadway Based Electricity Generation at Burger King

    Imagine how many vehicles drive through a fast food restaurant parking lot in New Jersey on Labor Day weekend. What if all of the extra kinetic energy wasted by those vehicles during deceleration could be turned into electricity? A Maryland based renewable energy company is hoping to answer that...

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    Lexus Unveils LF-Ch Full Frontal

    This is the face of the Lexus LF-Ch hybrid concept and it will probably come in colors other than baby poop metallic. This premium compact designed to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series will...

  • VIDEO: Audi's Electrifying New Microsite Revives R8 EV Rumors

    In late May, we reported on rumors that an electric version of Audi's R8 supercar would be at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Nary a day later, Edmunds Inside Line crushed our hopesand put the rumors to rest, citing an Audi representative who refuted the blogosphere's claims. We're not ready to say "we...

  • Toyota To Showcase Three New Hybrids at Frankfurt

    Toyota is planning to unveil three new hybrid concepts at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show including an intriguing 5-door hatch for their upscale Lexus brand. The LF-Ch (pictured above) is aimed squarely at the premium compact segment whose other notable players include the BMW 1-series and the...

  • Rumormill: BMW and Toyota To Swap Mini, iQ Platforms?

    While it may not evoke as much car lust as this past weekend's unveiling of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, BMW is rumored to be in negotiations with Toyota to borrow their iQ mini-car platform. In return, Toyota is reportedly interested in BMW's Mini division. Japan's largest automaker...

  • VIDEO: BMW Unwraps The Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, Turbodiesel Plug-in Hybrid

    In recent weeks, BMW has set the blogosphere alight with a trickle of information regarding a concept that would be on display for the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. If you guessed that the new vehicle would be a turbo-diesel plug-in hybrid sports car, you were right. The so-called Vision...

  • Teaser: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

    Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! That's when we'll finally hear more about the BMW concept dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. Until then, all we've got is these teaser images and the short, equally coy YouTube video below. The blogosphere is brimming with speculation as to what BMW is hiding, but we...

  •
    NPR Rides In An Electric Ford Pinto Dragster

     

    It goes zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds. It rips through the quarter mile in just over 12. Which cars come to mind? The Nissan GT-R? The Audi R8? The Corvette ZR1? The Ferrari 430 Scuderia? The '78 Ford...

  • Tesla Planning Sub-$30,000 Vehicle For 2016

    Tesla Motors wants you to know that they won't be a niche automaker for long. CEO, Elon Musk has repeatedly affirmed that he expects his electric vehicle company to compete in the mainstream market with the big boys. With a lineup consisting of two-seat sports cars costing more than $100,000, and...

  • Germany Aims For A Million EVs By 2020

    Electric vehicles may be a common sight on the autobahns in the next decade. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is intent on putting more EVs on the roads and her Cabinet is finishing a plan to do just that. The program would offer financial incentives beginning in 2012 to aid in the production and...

  • Tesla Planning New Powertrain Facility, Corporate Headquarters in Palo Alto

    America's most noteworthy EV maker, Tesla Motors, announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility at the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, California today. The company will renovate an existing 369,000-square-foot facility to produce electric powertrain components for their own brand...

  • Suzuki Planning Hybrid Kizashi For 2011

    According to the Japanese publication, Nikkei, Suzuki may be planning a hybrid version of their upcoming Kizashi sedan for 2011. The recently unveiled Kizashi will compete in the hotly contested midsize sedan market with the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Ford Fusion, among...

  • Former President Clinton Suggests Cash For EVs

    Though he's no longer in politics, former President Bill Clinton is still a busy guy. A week ago he was negotiating the release of reporters, Euna Lee and Laura Ling from North Korea. On Monday he stopped in Las Vegas at the National Clean Energy Summit. The summit focused on ideas to promote...

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    Hybrid Sighting: 2011 Hyundai Sonata


    When Hyundai releases their Sonata Hybrid in late 2010 they'll be entering a crowded field. The critically acclaimed Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid,...

  • Factmill: Volvo Is Building An All-Electric C30

    Lo and behold, the New York Times got it right. Four days ago, we highlighted a story in the Times about an all-electric Volvo C30 hatchback. Today, Autocar has confirmed that the Swedish automaker is indeed working on a drivable electric C30 for its Innovation for Life event, which will take place...

  • 2010 Prius To Launch Amid Solar Flowers On Chicago's Navy Pier

    If you think 18' tall flowers can only be the product of your imagination, an acid trip or a sci-fi novel, a visit to Navy Pier in Chicago may change your mind. As part of the launch of the 2010 Prius, so-called "Solar Flowers" will be on display from August 8 - 22 in the City of Broad Shoulders...

  • Tesla Bids Farewell To Marketing Boss, Prepares To Greet Chicago

    There's rarely a slow news day for Tesla Motors. Today, Tesla spokesperson, Rachel Konrad confirmed that a member of the executive team has resigned. According to Konrad, Michael van der Sande, who has served under the title of Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and Service since...

  • Rumormill: Electric Volvo C30 In The Works

    In July we informed you of Volvo's plans to collaborate with lithium-ion battery maker, Ener1, to test plug-in hybrid versions of the V70 wagon. Today, the New York Times is reporting that the V70s may not be the only EV on Volvo's drawing board. According to a source who spoke on condition of...

  • Lamborghini Hybrid Coming In 2015

    In May, Italian supercar maker, Ferrari, entered the hybrid fray with a patent application for four-wheel drive systems utilizing electric motors. Today, Lamborghini has tossed its cap into the ring. According to Car Advice, in a recent interview with the German magazine, Automobilewoche...

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